The weight of it lands
thump in the middle of me
heavy in my palm
evil girl
lost girl
fallen from grace woman
If you do this
And this
And this
Oh so many this’s that you can barely lift them up
Then you will—
Wait, wasn’t I good at the beginning
Aren’t I still
Doesn’t the fine print say
I will be saved
I will exchange good deeds for great deals
I will win the premium coupon from His BigHearted Shopping Bonanza

The practice is inspired by Naomi Shihab Nye and her notion that words are like oars. Dip them in the water. Explore with them. Feel how they touch and bump up against one another. Let them take us further down the stream.